Mudskipper Dragons

These large amphibious creatures are ancient and animalistic compared with its true dragon cousins. They dwell in warm, humid climates preferring intertidal zones and riverbanks. Mudskipper dragons {Periophthalmus argentilineatus} are ferocious ambush hunters who are driven by hunger and an intense territorial nature.

A mudskipper dragon has a long sleek profile with large dorsal fins and protruding large eyes on the top of a wide head. Wyrmling mudskipper dragons are dark brown, as they age they gain lighter spots and during mating season the males display bright red, green, or blue bellies. Their fins display brightly colored spots year round, though the bulk of their coloring remains dark and dull brown to hide them in their preferred, mud covered habitat.

Ferocious and Sudden. Mudskipper dragons are ambush hunters, they build a complex network of flooded tunnels and chambers and use the many surface openings to lie in wait for their prey. Once they spot prey, they pounce, releasing a bubble of water from their mouths. The water causes most prey to lose their footing; the dragon can snap the water back into their mouth and swallow their prey whole. These dragons chase prey that escapes their ambush, using their powerful legs and fins to launch themselves upwards and their wings to glide. A powerful focused beam of water can be propelled from their mouths, cutting down weak prey.

Territorial Monsters. Although more intelligent than some creatures, a mudskipper dragon pales in comparison to its cousins, instead relying heavily on instinct than intellect.These dragons live solitary lives except for when they join to mate. Other creatures trespassing on the mudskippers territory will be attacked without explanation or remorse. While these dragons can speak, they prefer to remain silent.

These dragons don’t make good servants or allies, their actions are always selfish and survival driven. Several groups of humanoids have attempted to bring these dragons to heel, however their amphibious nature and ability to disappear into soil and water alike, make them difficult to pin down. The captured dragons threw themselves at their cages and captors, harming themselves in the process, preventing their prolonged use.

Buried Treasures. Mudskippers have little use for most treasure, their treasure of choice is unusual and beautiful rocks and minerals. Their hoards contain the organized and displayed bones of their favorite foes and any magical items those adventurers brought with them. These trophies are displayed as a warning to future adventurers. The dragon hides precious items beneath the mud of the lair to protect them.

This short document presents the mudskipper dragon in the various stages of its life from the young wyrmling to the ancient predator and provides an idea of its lair and the regional effects it imposes on its domain. The statistics provided are compatible with the 5th edition of the world's most popular roleplaying game.